Marseille split with Evra for kicking fan as UEFA imposes eight-month ban
KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: The career of former France captain Patrice Evra has collapsed in ignominy with the veteran defender parting company with Marseille and being banned from European competition by UEFA until the end of June for kicking a fan.
A statement from the French club announcing an “amicable separation” was published almost at the same time as the European federation’s disciplinary commission suspended him until him June 30 and fined him €10,000 for the incident.
UEFA has not announced whether it will ask world federation FIFA to extend the ban to national competition.
Patrice Evra lashes out in Guimaraes
Evra had kicked out at a fan among a group of Marseille supporters who were jeering him and some team-mates during their warm-up ahead of a Europa League tie in Portugal against Vitoria Guimaraes.
A club statement said: “By mutual agreement, Olympique Marseille and Patrice Evra have decided to end their collaboration. The player’s contract is officially terminated with immediate effect. ”
Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud said he was sad about the latest turn of events in an ever-turbulent club.
He said: “I’m sad first for Patrice Evra who, obviously, understood the consequences of his actions and who will no longer be able to exercise his passion for l’OM. Also I’m said for Marseille fans whose reputation has been tarnished by the irresponsible behaviour of a handful of them.
“Then I’m sad for the club whose reputation has been damaged. But, despite this incident, we are more determined than ever to demonstrate on and off the pitch that we are driven by the highest individual and collective demands. ”
The club had insisted that, up until the Guimaraes incident, the former defender of Juventus and Manchester United had always displayed “exemplary behaviour on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
But it considered that, by striking a Marseille supporter, Evra “had committed an irreparable mistake”.
The statement added: “Nothing justified such behaviour, especially from an experienced senior player whose attitude on the field and outside should inspire the youngest fan.”
Marseille has also announced its intention to punish the supporters who provoked Evra – if it can identify them.
###############
